Kirksville’s season comes to an end vs. Mexico, 66-26

Saturday

Mar 2, 2013 at 12:59 PMMar 2, 2013 at 1:05 PM

Ryan Ronan @RyanRonan_KDE

MEXICO, Mo. – After finally beating the Marshall Owls in the district tournament, the Kirksville Tigers were faced with beating No. 1 seed and host school Mexico if they wanted their season to continue. The Bulldogs made sure that their season rolled on as they won, 66-26.

Kirksville was held to just five first-half points as they struggled with Mexico’s size and athletic ability all night. Mexico didn’t take their foot off the gas in the second half as they had KHS down and they kept them there, quickly opening the lead from 35 to 40 points and keeping it there for the balance of the second half.

After struggling to an 8-12 mark in the regular season and being down 30 points at halftime, it would have been easy for Kirksville to come out and roll over, but they did just the opposite keeping up the pressure defense, diving for loose balls, and taking the ball to the rack.

“It wasn’t the prettiest game, but my guys compete no matter what. They gave everything they had and I love them for that,” said Kirksville head coach Tyler Martin.

Things got chippy in the first half, as there was a double-foul situation and an intentional foul on a breakaway dunk opportunity that resulted with the two teams coming together briefly. The Tigers were down big, but weren’t going down easy.

“Anytime you look up there and see a single digit on the scoreboard going into the third quarter, it’s not good. I told them at half you are going to have bigger tests in life than being down 30, that’s just the way it is. Becoming a man depends on how you handle it, so consider this one of your first little hurdles in life that you are going to experience,” said Martin.

This was the last game for Kirksville seniors Asa Sparks, Kevin Hennke, Tyson Grgurich, Austin Motley, Chris Tenpenny, and Matt Blum.